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Bunker Fuel Availability

ENGINE: Europe & Africa Bunker Fuel Availability Outlook (21 August 2024)

HSFO is tight in the ARA; supply is tight in Las Palmas; low LSMGO demand in Nacala.

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RESIZED ENGINE Europe and Africa

The following article regarding Europe and Africa bunker fuel availability has been provided by online marine fuel procurement platform ENGINE for post on Singapore bunkering publication Manifold Times:

  • HSFO is tight in the ARA
  • Supply is tight in Las Palmas
  • Low LSMGO demand in Nacala

Northwest Europe

VLSFO and LSMGO availability is normal in Rotterdam and in the wider ARA hub. HSFO availability is slightly tight, a trader said. Despite this, lead times remain largely unchanged, with a trader recommending 3–5 days for all grades.

The ARA’s independently held fuel oil stocks have averaged 3% lower so far this month than compared to July, according to Insights Global data.

The region has imported 251,000 b/d of fuel oil in August so far, down from 296,000 b/d imported in July, according to data from cargo tracker Vortexa. The ARA has imported low-sulphur fuel oil (LSFO) and HSFO in a 55/45 ratio so far this month, indicating a slight tilt towards LSFO compared to July, when the ratio was 50/50.

The US has replaced Germany as the ARA’s biggest fuel import source, accounting for 22% of the total imports this month. Estonia has ranked second with 19% of the total imports, and France stands in third place at 13%, followed by Poland (11%), the Bahamas (10%) and Germany (9%).

The ARA hub has exported 294,000 b/d of fuel oil so far this month, a significant increase from the 224,000 b/d exported in July. Fuel oil cargoes have departed for Greece (22%), Spain (13%), Senegal and Denmark (5% each), Vortexa data shows.

The ARA hub’s independent gasoil inventories — which include diesel and heating oil — have increased slightly by 1% so far this month. The region has imported 368,000 b/d of gasoil so far this month, up from 303,000 b/d of gasoil in July, according to Vortexa data.

Bunkering is proceeding smoothly in Germany’s Hamburg port, where availability is good across all grades, according to a trader. Lead times of 3–5 days are recommended for optimal coverage from suppliers.

Mediterranean

In Gibraltar, tightness in prompt supply has stretched into its third consecutive week. Lead times of 4–6 days are still recommended for all grades. Minimal congestion was reported in the port on Wednesday, with bunkering proceeding smoothly amid calm weather conditions.

In the Canary Islands’ port of Las Palmas, lead times have increased slightly as some suppliers have a tight delivery schedule until 28 August. Lead times have stretched to 5–7 days as a result. Las Palmas has been witnessing high demand over the past few weeks. Bunkering disruptions may occur due to bad weather forecast in the port area between Wednesday and Saturday, according to a source.

Demand has picked up this week in the Greek port of Piraeus, a trader said. Bunker fuel availability is tight in Piraeus till the end of this month, with the earliest delivery date for VLSFO and LSMGO stretching out to 27 August. Bunkering may be disrupted between Wednesday and Saturday due to adverse weather forecasts in the port area, a source said.

Securing prompt delivery of HSFO can be difficult off Malta due to the grade’s tight availability, according to a trader. Supply of VLSFO and LSMGO grades is relatively better. However, bunker demand is said to be weak off Malta. Rough weather-induced bunkering disruptions may occur on Wednesday and Thursday off Malta, according to a source.

Prompt availability of bunker fuels is tight in Turkey's Istanbul port. Bunker supply is said to be fine for delivery dates after 24 August. Bad weather is forecast in Istanbul between Wednesday and Saturday and may hamper bunkering in the port area.

Africa

The South African port of Durban continues to grapple with tightness for LSMGO prompt delivery. A trader advises lead times of up to two weeks for the grade. Strong wind gusts of up to 38 knots have been forecast in Durban on Wednesday. Rough weather will continue till Saturday, with strong wind gusts ranging between 19-36 knots.

VLSFO is also running tight, but lead times are comparatively shorter and recommended at 7–10 days in Durban and Richards Bay.

In Mozambique’s Nacala, all three bunker grades have good availability, a source said. While demand is robust for HSFO and VLSFO, LSMGO demand has been low.

Similarly, LSMGO demand is low in Mozambique’s Maputo despite the good availability of the grade. VLSFO availability is good, and so is demand, the source added.

Meanwhile, in Angola’s Luanda, a state-run bunker supplier has halted VLSFO supply temporarily in the port, a source said. There has been no update on when supply is likely to resume. LSMGO availability is normal and is supplied by a barge at anchorage, the source added. Bunkering is expected to proceed smoothly amid calm weather forecasts in the port for the rest of the week, a source said.

Bunker supply pressures have eased slightly in Mauritius’ Port Louis. Lead times have come down from over two weeks in the last couple of weeks to around ten days now. Bunkering may be affected by bad weather forecasts from Wednesday till Sunday in the port, a source said.

By Manjula Nair

 

Photo credit and source: ENGINE
Published: 22 August, 2024

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Bunker Fuel Availability

ENGINE: Americas Bunker Fuel Availability Outlook (7 Nov 2024)

Low demand in Houston; bad weather disrupts GOLA bunkering; Hurricane Rafael makes landfall in Cuba.

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RESIZED ENGINE Americas

The following article regarding bunker fuel availability in the Americas region has been provided by online marine fuel procurement platform ENGINE for post on Singapore bunkering publication Manifold Times:

  • Low demand in Houston
  • Bad weather disrupts GOLA bunkering
  • Hurricane Rafael makes landfall in Cuba

North America

Bunker fuel demand has slowed considerably in Houston this week amid the US presidential election. Fuel grade availability, however, remains strong, with most suppliers offering VLSFO and LSMGO stems for prompt dates with a 5-7 day lead time.

In Bolivar Roads, VLSFO and LSMGO are also readily available for prompt dates, although deliveries depend on weather conditions and anchorage schedules, according to a source.

Bunker operations resumed on Wednesday in the Galveston Offshore Lightering Area (GOLA) following nearly a week-long suspension due to strong winds. Since then, a period of calmer weather has allowed suppliers to address the backlog, but conditions are expected to deteriorate again from Friday, potentially causing further delays.

On the East Coast, prompt VLSFO and LSMGO are available in New York, though demand has been low this week.

West Coast ports, including Long Beach and Los Angeles, have seen sluggish demand. VLSFO and LSMGO availability remains steady, with a 5-day lead time recommended to avoid price premiums for faster deliveries, a trader noted.

Demand at New Orleans Outer Anchorage (NOLA) has been strong this week, with most suppliers able to meet prompt VLSFO and LSMGO requirements.

Caribbean and Latin America

In Balboa, VLSFO and LSMGO availability remains tight, with suppliers requiring a lead time of 7-8 days for prompt dates.

Hurricane Rafael has intensified to a Category 3 storm as it makes landfall in Cuba, raising concerns about its potential impact on US offshore energy operations in the Gulf of Mexico, a source reported.

Operations at the Buckeye Bahamas Hub terminal have been suspended since Monday due to adverse weather, halting bunkering and lightering activities. The terminal operator expects conditions to remain unfavorable until Friday, delaying service resumption.

The Buckeye Hub, a crucial terminal in the region, frequently serves large vessels for refueling and transfers, making it an essential link in the shipping chain.

In Freeport, bunker fuel is available, though bunkering has been paused since late last week due to inclement weather. Deliveries are expected to resume during calmer periods, though further delays are anticipated as weather disruptions persist.

In Argentina’s Zona Comun anchorage, bunkering operations have been suspended since Monday due to wind gusts up to 29 knots, making barge deliveries challenging.

By Debarati Bhattacharjee

 

Photo credit and source: ENGINE
Published: 8 November, 2024

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Bunker Fuel

Baltic Exchange: Bunker Report (7 November 2024)

Bunker report panellists include Island Oil Limited, Cockett Marine Oil Pte, Monjasa A/S and KPI OceanConnect.

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Baltic Exchange: Bunker Report (7 November 2024)

The following bunker report has been provided by freight market information provider Baltic Exchange for post on Singapore bunkering publication Manifold Times:

Note:

All values are in US$/metric ton, all-in (invoice price), delivered on board
Delivery in 7-10 days
ISO 8217:2010
IFO 380 3.5% Sulphur
IFO 380 0.5% Sulphur
DMA 0.1% Sulphur

Rotterdam – Waalhaven – Maasvlakte range
Houston – Houston Harbor
Singapore – Anchorage, under SBA Scheme
Fujairah – Offshore Anchorage Area

Submitted weekly at Close of Business UK time, on Tuesday & Thursdays

Panellists:
Island Oil Limited, Cockett Marine Oil Pte, Monjasa A/S, KPI OceanConnect

 

Photo credit and source: Baltic Exchange
Published: 8 November, 2024

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Bunker Fuel Availability

ENGINE: Europe & Africa Bunker Fuel Availability Outlook

Prompt supply is tight in the ARA; prompt HSFO is tight in Gibraltar; LSMGO supply improves in Durban.

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RESIZED ENGINE Europe and Africa

The following article regarding Europe and Africa bunker fuel availability has been provided by online marine fuel procurement platform ENGINE for post on Singapore bunkering publication Manifold Times:

  • Prompt supply is tight in the ARA
  • Prompt HSFO is tight in Gibraltar
  • LSMGO supply improves in Durban

Northwest Europe

All grades remain in tight supply for prompt dates in Rotterdam. HSFO now requires lead times of 7-10 days, while VLSFO and LSMGO need 5-7 days. Refinery maintenance work in Rotterdam has triggered the supply crunch, a source told ENGINE.

The ARA’s independently held fuel oil stocks averaged 2% higher in October than across September, according to Insights Global data.

The region imported 257,000 b/d of fuel oil in October, up from 229,000 b/d imported in September, according to data from cargo tracker Vortexa. The ARA imported low-sulphur fuel oil (LSFO) and HSFO in a 48/52 ratio in October, unlike September's 51/49 ratio which was leaning towards LSFO.

The UK (22% of the total) emerged as the region’s biggest fuel oil import source in October. The US (12%) came in second, while Turkey ranked third at 9%. This was followed by Lithuania (8%), France and Poland (7% each).

The ARA hub’s independent gasoil inventories - which include diesel and heating oil - came down by 10% in October, despite higher imports. The region imported 410,000 b/d of gasoil in October, a sharp rise from September’s 291,000 b/d, according to Vortexa data.

Securing prompt supply is not a challenge in Germany’s Hamburg port. The port has ample supply for all grades, a trader said. Lead times of 3-4 days are generally recommended, a trader said.

Mediterranean

HSFO is tight in Gibraltar for very prompt delivery dates, a trader told ENGINE. Lead times of 5-7 days are recommended for optimal coverage for the grade. VLSFO and LSMGO availability is relatively better with short lead times of 3-5 days advised. Bunkering may be disrupted in Gibraltar on Thursday and Friday because of wind gusts of 19-21 knots.

HSFO is tight in the Spanish ports of Las Palmas and Barcelona, according to a trader.

Las Palmas port in the Canary Islands has faced limited HSFO supply in recent weeks, with recommended lead times now around 11 days. In contrast, VLSFO and LSMGO supply is ample and most suppliers can deliver both grades for prompt dates, a trader said.

In Barcelona, all grades have been tight since the start of the week. HSFO and VLSFO supplies are particularly constrained, with recommended lead times of 7-10 days. LSMGO requires lead times of 5-7 days.

Demand has been negligible in other Mediterranean ports like Piraeus, Malta Offshore and Istanbul, a trader said.

Greece’s Piraeus port has normal availability across all three grades. After experiencing minor supply pressures earlier in the week, conditions eased on Wednesday, with suppliers now offering prompt delivery across all grades.

Bunkering disruptions may occur in Piraeus from Wednesday till Saturday amid rough weather, a source said.

Off Malta, bunker availability is normal for all three grades, a trader told ENGINE. Lead times of 3-4 days are advised across all three grades. Bad weather is forecast between Wednesday and Saturday, which may impact bunkering. 

Turkey’s Istanbul also has prompt supply available for all three grades, a trader said. Lead times of 3-4 days are recommended in the port. Adverse weather forecast in the port area between Wednesday and Saturday may disrupt bunkering.

Africa

VLSFO supply is good for non-prompt delivery dates in South Africa’s Durban and Richards Bay with lead times of 7-10 days advised. LSMGO supply has resumed in Durban after recent supply shortages. Lead times of 7-10 days are recommended for the grade.

Rough weather may cause bunkering delays in Durban on Wednesday with wind gusts of up to 30 knots forecast in the area. Bunkering in the area is typically halted when gusts exceed 35 knots and if visibility is low due to heavy rain, a source said. 

Meanwhile, supply pressures have eased in Mauritius’ Port Louis, a trader said. Suppliers are now able to offer prompt delivery dates for all grades. The port had previously faced tight supplies with lead times extending up to ten days until last week.

By Manjula Nair

 

Photo credit and source: ENGINE
Published: 7 November, 2024

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